AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CAR

by Sadowsky
Blues Rock Alternative
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado (pau...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596213
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANS

by Schecter
Blues Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Schecter Model-T Session-4 ANSElectric BassSwamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckFingerboard: MapleEbony side block...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543303
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB

by Sandberg
Classic Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BBElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroNut width: 39.5 mm...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 439954
$1,858
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic Blue

by Charvel
Classic Rock Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV Sonic BlueElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised...

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583610
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW WPL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW WPL

by Fender
Pop Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW WPLElectric BassDuff McKagan (Guns'n'Roses) Artist Series modelBody:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 456888
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BK

by Fender
Country Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Fender Duff McKagan DLX P Bass RW BKPrecision Electric BassDuff McKagan SignatureArtist seriesBody: AlderBolted neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 456883
$1,649
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGM

by Fender
Classic Rock Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW HGMElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Modern...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609108
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CAO

by Sadowsky
Blues Classic Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 RM CAOElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596221
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NAT

by Charvel
Pop Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH NATElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: Caramelised mapleFingerboard: Caramelised mapleCream dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583619
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WH

by Sadowsky
Alternative Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb 4 MO WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595895
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BK

by Sadowsky
Classic Rock Alternative Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Hyb PJ 4 BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596196
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TS

by Sandberg
Blues Classic Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VT 4 PF 3TSElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroNut width: 39.5 mm...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439991
$1,836
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender Vintera II 60s P-Bass OWT

by Fender
Country Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Fender Vintera 60s P-Bass OWTElectric BassVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571486
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH SFRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH SFRD

by Charvel
Alternative Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Charvel PM Bass SD PJ IV MAH SFRDElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: caramelised mapleFingerboard: caramelised mapleCompound...

⭐ 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583621
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GH

by Sandberg
Classic Rock Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF BB GHElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 520935
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 4-string p-basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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